1. The People and Culture of India

2. Early Peoples of India Dravidians- original people of Indus/ Ganges River valleys, forced to move by Aryans Aryans-nomadic, warlike, fair-skinned, came from Central Asia and conquered India, many aspects of their culture can be found in Hinduism

3. Hinduism More than a religion-way of life One of the world’s oldest religions Basic belief-all things have a soul Predominate religion of India-900 million followers

4. Organization- Organization- –No founder –No formal church-people worship at home or in a temple Polytheistic- Polytheistic- -belief in many gods/goddesses

5. Brahman- The Supreme Being; creator and sustainer of the universe; all-powerful spirit Brahman- The Supreme Being; creator and sustainer of the universe; all-powerful spirit Hindu Triad-3 gods, each is considered to be an aspect of Brahman Hindu Triad-3 gods, each is considered to be an aspect of Brahman -Brahma-creator of life -Vishnu-preserver of life -Shiva-destroyer of life

6. Vishnu Brahma Shiva

7. A Person’s Soul ( ATMAN ) A Person’s Soul ( ATMAN ) -leaves the body at death and moves to a new life form, where a soul goes is based on its behavior during its life Reincarnation- Reincarnation- –the belief that the soul continues through a series of lives on a journey to nirvana (ultimate resting place)

9. What determines where a soul goes? Karma- Karma- -”to do” -sum of all of your good and bad thoughts and actions -good karma=better place next life -bad karma=soul moves down

10. Where/When have you heard about Karma before?

11. What determines where a soul goes? Dharma- Dharma- -moral and social responsibilities in a person’s life that must be followed -is determined by your caste -do your dharma=get good karma

12. A Soul’s Journey…….. Transmigration- Transmigration- -when the soul leaves the body at death and moves to a new life form Nirvana/Moksha- Nirvana/Moksha- -the ultimate resting place -end of the cycle of reincarnation

13. Caste System Society was broken into castes based on occupation Society was broken into castes based on occupation Born unequal in ability and opportunity Born unequal in ability and opportunity Stay in the caste you were born into for life Stay in the caste you were born into for life

14. Caste System 4 Main Varna Brahmin- priests/teachers Brahmin- priests/teachers Kshatriya- warrior/politicians Kshatriya- warrior/politicians Vaishya- merchants/business men Vaishya- merchants/business men Sudra- laborers/servants Sudra- laborers/servants Untouchables- street cleaners, lowest jobs Untouchables- street cleaners, lowest jobs

15. Origins of Caste- dates back to Aryan society Origins of Caste- dates back to Aryan society No intermarriage-must marry someone from your own caste No intermarriage-must marry someone from your own caste Pollution- contact with members of a lower caste can pollute your soul Pollution- contact with members of a lower caste can pollute your soul Vegetarianism- no meat, except Kshatriya Vegetarianism- no meat, except Kshatriya

16. Hindu Sacred Writings Vedas & Rig Veda-( 800 BCE) oldest known religious document Vedas & Rig Veda-( 800 BCE) oldest known religious document –Prayers, chants and truths Upaninshads-(600 BCE)- tells the origins of the universe & the meaning of the soul Upaninshads-(600 BCE)- tells the origins of the universe & the meaning of the soul Law Book of Manu- (250 BCE) explains the origins of the caste system Law Book of Manu- (250 BCE) explains the origins of the caste system

17. Epic Masterpieces Mahabharata- long poem that tells the story of a war between a royal family, shows the importance of following dharma Mahabharata- long poem that tells the story of a war between a royal family, shows the importance of following dharma -Bhagavad-Gita-part of Mahab.-tells the story of Prince Arjuna-code of conduct Ramayana-story of Prince Rama, illustrates the importance of appropriate behavior and karma Ramayana-story of Prince Rama, illustrates the importance of appropriate behavior and karma

18. Bhagavad-Gita

19. Ramayana